By Butch Burney
The annual Economic Development Conference is back, and we have an experienced speaker and college professor, Mick Normington, to present information on jobs, housing, unemployment and education for our area.
Mick has two master’s degrees, co-authored the book “Working Texas Style,” previously worked at the Austin Chamber of Commerce and the Labor Market Department of the Texas Workforce Commission, and is now a business professor at Lee College in Huntsville. He is a skilled presenter who has spoken to numerous Economic Development Councils.
The luncheon, which is co-sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Corporation, will take place on December 3 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at the Hopkins County Civic Center.
Sponsorships are available for $500 for a table for eight, $250 for a table for four, and individual tickets for the event are $30 each. If you have any questions, please call 903-885-6515 or email me at [email protected].
Community Awards
Nominations are being accepted for Citizen of the Year, Woman of the Year, Small and Large Businesses of the Year and other superlative recognitions. The awards will be announced at the Chamber’s membership banquet on Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Hopkins County Civic Center.
When nominating a person or business, please write in the nomination letter the reasons you are presenting them for the award.
Nominations can be sent to [email protected] or mailed to the following addresses:
Citizen of the Year—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Woman of the Year—Chamber of Commerce – 110 Main Street, SS, TX 75483.
Caregiver of the Year—Chamber of Commerce – 110 Main Street, SS, TX 75483.
Community Pride Award—Adult Leadership Class—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Agriculturist of the Year—Hopkins/Rains Counties Farm Bureau— 233 College St., Sulphur Springs 75482.
Growth and Renewal—DBA—109 Jefferson St. E, SS, TX 75482.
Outstanding Professional Educator (Administrator, Counselor, Diagnostician, or Teacher)—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Outstanding ParaProfessional Educator (Secretary or Aide)—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Outstanding Auxiliary Educator (Maintenance, Custodial, Transportation, Nurse or Cafeteria)—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Businesses of the Year nominations should be for those businesses which exhibit outstanding community involvement—civic, church, educational, benevolent, humanitarian or other.
Large Business of the Year—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Small Business of the Year—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Please get your nominations in before the end of the year.
Ornaments and Stew Merch
Our 2024 Christmas Ornaments, featuring the Total Solar Eclipse, are on sale at the Chamber office. They are $40 each.
The Chamber also has a limited supply of 2024 stew merchandise still available. This includes a few shirts, tumblers, mugs and hoodies. We are located at 110 Main St.
Christmas Activities
■ The 33rd annual Sulphur Springs Symphony League live auction is brought to you by Chad’s Media on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 6 p.m. The event will be streamed live via the Front Porch News Facebook page and Chad’s Media YouTube page. Expect to see incredible gifts from local businesses, handmade treasures and unique local experiences, all available for you to place your bid. And remember, everything you donate goes to funding local music enjoyment and education like the Children’s Concert, the Dallas Opera and the Independence Day concert to Sulphur Springs!
■ Christmas in the Park is set for Nov. 30 and Dec. 7 at Heritage Park on Jackson Street. Affordable family fun under the Christmas lights, with Santa, live music, nativity and more.
■ Lake Country CASA’s annual Cookie Walk is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 6, beginning at 8 a.m. at First United Methodist Church. There will be cookies, cakes and other treats for sale to benefit Lake Country CASA.
■ The Lions Club Lighted Christmas Parade is set for Friday, Dec. 6 starting at Buford Park. Line-up begins at 4 p.m. with the parade starting at 7. Registration must be received by noon on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Categories will be Large Business, Small Business and Non-Profit, with cash prizes awarded to winners.
Registration sheets are available at the Chamber office, 110 Main St.
Entry fee is one new unwrapped present for Blue Santa.
■ Along with the parade, the city will host the Lighted Celebration Market downtown from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6. It will include lighting of the city Christmas tree at 5:45 p.m.
■ The Christmas Market on Main Street will take place on Saturday, Dec. 7, downtown. You can do your shopping with our local merchants and vendors that day.
■ Northeast Texas Choral Society will have their “Winter Wonderland” production at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 and 2 p.m. on Dec. 8, at the Hopkins County Civic Center. Visit the website SingersCount.org for ticket information.
■ The Best Christmas Pageant EVER will be playing at Main Street Theatre at 7 p.m. on Dec. 5, 8 and 12, and 2 p.m. on Dec. 7, 14 and 15.
Tickets are $15. Visit communityplayersinc.com for more information.
■ First Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs will present Christmas at First on Dec. 13, 14 and 15, at 6 p.m. each evening. Reserve your free tickets at SSFBC.org.
